
Class I_S2S?h5. 
BookXs!l_B6L 
GQlpglitl^°-ijJIL_ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



RHYMES AND VERSES 
WRITTEN FOR THE FAMILY 



KITYMES AJ^D YEESES 
WRITTEN FOR THE FAMILY 

1880-1900 



BY . 

GRINNELL WILLIS 



1901 



/.' 



Copyright, 1901, hy GrinneU Willis 



THE LIBRARY OF 

CONGRESS, 
Two Copies Received 

APR. 22 1901 

COPTBOHT EftTRY 

CLASS A-XXc N«. 
COPY Q. 






To my Motlier-in-Laiv 

The laws of the land are many and old, 
Moses made some of them, so I am told; 
But the bonniest law that ever I saw 
Is my own, my jolly old mother-in-law. 



Introduction 

I HAVE written these "Rhymes and Verses" from 
time to time during the last twenty years, without 
preparation, and many of them at an hour's notice, 
simply to express the fun or sentiment of an occasion. 
Their defects are many, and I claim no poetical merit 
for them. I offer this little volume to my family as a 
loving reminder of old times and happy days, which 
are now only memories of the past. 

' Affectionately, 

Grinnell Willis. 



Contents 

PAGE 

Christmas Rhyme, Sung at Every Christmas Gathering for Many 
Years 1 

Lines to my Wife when "We Moved into Our New House at Morris- 
town, February 18, 1892. The Old Home Dressed Anew . . 3 

To Robert Haydock, Christmas, 1884 5 

Read at Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Haydock's Fiftieth Wedding Anniver- 
sary, 1839-1889 ^ 6 

To Sara H. Baker, on her Bii-thday, March 2, 1891 .... 8 

To Sara H. Baker, when She Left Us and began Her Course in the 
Training School at " Bellevue " 9 

Read at Mr. and Mrs. Haydock's Forty-ninth Wedding Anniversary, 
Twelfth Street, January 27, 1892 10 

To Mrs. Chinery, on her Eighteenth Birthday, February 29, 1892, 
from Hannah 13 

Read at the Opening of the New Club House of the Germantown 
Cricket Club at Mannheim, April 27, 1892 15 

To Mary Drake, Christmas, 1893 19 

To Robert Haydock, February 1, 1894 20 

Mary's Birthday, 1895 22 

Hannah sailed for Europe May 23, 1895. H. H. W.— Bon Voyage . 23 

Nina's Birthday, August 28, 1895 24 

Anna Hallowell Graduated at the Harvard Annex, Proposing to 
Give her Life to the Classics, but Meeting Horace Davis Abroad, 
She Changed Her Mind. On the Announcement of hev Engage- 
ment We Sent Her a Fleur-de-lis Pin, with the Following Lines : 
Hallowell vs. Horace 25 

To Anna Hallowell and Horace Davis at the time of their Wedding 26 

Anna Hallowell's Wedding. " Noddebo," November 28, 1895 . 27 



PASE 

On my Forty-eightli Birthday I sent to George and Fred Moore and 
Busli the Following Lines 30 

Having stood Q-od-father for F, V. Burton's Eldest Son, I Sent Him 
a Cup with the Following Lines Engraved on the Bottom of It. 
1892 32 

To Mr. and Mrs. F. V. Burton, on the Occasion of the Laying of the 
Corner-stone of their New Home, at Newburgh, N. Y., September 
25, 1896 33 

To Frank Stockton, Christmas, 1896 ....... 34 

Christmas, 1896. Fred and George Moore and Bush had a Christmas 
Card of Three Sailor Boys in Summer Rig, on "Which I "Wrote the 
Following Lines 35 

My Wife's Forty-eighth Anniversary 36 

Christmas, 1897. The Christmas Chime 37 

To Cousin Mary Parsons on her Seventy- fifth Anniversary, 1898 . 38 

Lines Written in Mrs. Walter Cutting's House Book, Pittsfield, 
Mass., January 23, 1899 40 

Written for the Engagement Dinner given to Ridley Watts and 
Gertrude Hoy, October 24, 1899 41 

To my Nephew, Jack Hallowell, Right End of Harvard's Football 
Eleven, November 27, 1899. Harvard 17 — Yale .... 43 

A Twelfth Street Valentine 44 

To D. S. Newhall. With a Hearth Brush forjtheir New Home . . 45 

These Lines were Sent with a Set of Glasses to Fred and George 
Moore and G. Fairfax Bush, with "^Hiom 1|^ had Made Pleasant 
Expeditions on the Wheel 46 

We Made a Visit to Uncle Charles and Mary Wharton at Newport. 
At Christmas Time Mary Sent a Shawl, with the Following Lines 48 

Sent with a Fly Book to my Old Friend, Fisher Corlies ... 51 

Sent with a Mince Pie to a Friend 52 

Sent with a Christmas Stocking to Hope Willis. Hope's Stocking 53 



EHYMES AND YEKSES 



Christmas Rhyme, Su7ig at Every Christmas 
Gathering for Many Years. 

Audience, awaiting Santa Glaus, sings : 

Welcome all to-night, 

We're glad you've come in time, 
Sing with all your might, 

Oh ! sing the Christmas rhyme. 
Make the chorus ring. 

Shout the loud applause, 
Sing with all your voices, sing, 

Hurrah ! for Santa Claus ! 



Chorus : 

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle loud and long, 

How joyful is the music of this our Christmas song ! 

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle loud and long, 

How joyful is the music of this our Christmas song ! 



[1] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



We all love Santa Clans, 

A merry man is he, 
We'll shout our loud applause 

And greet him merrily. 
He has a heavy pack 

With Christmas gifts galore, 
He soon will come a-knocking, — 

A-knocking at the door. — Chorus. 

Many homes to-night 

Are waiting for his call, 
Their welcome will be warm and bright 

But ours is best of all. 
Hark ! He's coming fast, 

Hear the sleigh-bells ring, 

Now he's here at last — 

^ Enter All Hail ! The Christmas King ! — Chorus. 
Santa Claus : =" 

Farewell, ring out the song, 

Sing with all your heart. 
Speed the parting guest along 

If he must depart. 
Let the echoes ring, 

Shout the loud applause. 
Sing with all your voices, sing, 
c ^^}^. . . Grood-by to Santa Claus.— Chorus. 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Lines to my Wife, wlien We Moved into Our Neiu 
House at Morristown, February 18, 1892. 

The Old Home Dressed Anew. 



Home again ! How sweet the sound 

Of that familiar word ! 
Our pulses thrill, our hearts rebound 

Again, when it is heard. 
A year of absence brings us back 

To home, and all that's dear j 
The setting of it may be new. 

But the old things still are here. 
Our books and pictures greet us 

From their places on the wall, 
And friendly faces meet us 

In answer to our call. 
A new home ? Yes ; both old and new, 

But if we reckon o'er 
What makes a home for me and you, 

The old one seems the more. 



[3] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Old love that time has stronger made, 

Associations old, 
The children God has given us 

To cherish and unfold, 
A mother's smile and tender care 

(The home's foundation wall) — 
All these are home itself, 

The essence of it all. 
And so the new is still the old 

Where hearts are strong and true. 
And we are once more in the fold. 

In the '' Old Home Dressed Anew." 



4] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



To Robert Haydock, Christmas, 188Jf. 

Once more at home, at Christmas time, 

We gather at thy call, 
Thy children and grandchildren, 

We are coming, one and all. 
From East and West we're coming, 

A joyous, happy throng. 
Our hearts are glad, and on our lips 

The merry Christmas song. 
We've had our own Saint Nicholas, 

Our merry Christmas tree, 
But better far than all of these, 

■ "V^e're coming home to thee. 
Thy presence is our beacon light. 

Our star by day, our guide by night. 
God bless you both, your children pray, 

And keep you safe for many a day. 



[5] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Read at Mr. and Mrs, Oeo. Haydock's 

Fiftieth Wedding Aimiversary, 

18S9-1889 



'Tis the golden harvest time, 

The richest of the year, 

When nature dons her brightest dress, 
And decks the fields and the wilderness 

With glory far and near. 

'Tis the time of peace and joy, 

Of promises fulfilled, 

Of bams well stocked with the ripened ear, 
And even the haze in the atmosphere 

By a sweet peace is stilled. 

'Tis the golden time for you. 

Life's harvest garnered well, 

The peace of fifty years well spent 
Has only love and sweet content 

And happiness to tell. 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



May ever the golden blessing 

Be yours, and ne'er depart, 

And the love of friends who have been so true, 
Who are present now to rejoice with you. 

Be found in every heart. 



[7: 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



To Sara H. Baker, on her Birthday, 
March 2. 1891. 



" Thy hands are such dear hands, 

They are so full, they turn at our demands 

So often ] they reach out, 

With many trifles scarcely thought about, 

So many times ', they do 

So many things so kind and true ; " 

And we, whose hearts are full, can only say, 

While blessing thee from day to day. 

Our love and sympathy are surely thine, 

Enduring to the end of time. 



[8] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



To Sara H. Baher, 

when she left us and legan her course in the 

Trainmg School at '^ Bellevioe." 

Dear friend, 'tis hard to say farewell, 
And harder yet it is to tell, 
In parting words, how strong the tie 
We sever now in this good-bye. 
We all shall miss thy gentle grace, 
Thy willing hand and cheerful face ; 
No other friend thy place can fill. 
Though absent we shall claim thee still ; 
God bless the work thou hast begun, 

And guard thee in the years to come, 
And when thy heart is weary, or alone. 

Come back and rest in this thy home. 



[9 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Read at Mr. and Mrs. Haydock's Forty-ninth 

Wedding Anniversary , TivelftJi Street, 

January 27, 1892. 

Brothers and sisters young and old, 

Here is a story to be told, 

A rambling story full of fun 

Of the j oiliest family under the sun ; 

So blow the horn and ring the bell, 

And hark to what I have to tell. 

There is a dear lady whom all of us know, 
"Who lives in New York right opposite ^' Trow," 
And she and her good man are chock full of mirth, 
A blessed old couple, the salt of the earth. 
Their childi'en are many, some there and some here, 
But they all come together at least once a year 
To bless and be blessed, and to offer a prayer 
For the family circle in love gathered there. 

The family stock is old and strong. 
In Philadelphia they belong j 



10 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Fishers, and Whartons, and Haydocks too 

Were raised in clover at old ^' Belle vue " ;. 

And Smiths and Mellors joined the throng, 

While the numbers increased as the years rolled on, 

And Hallowell and Willis were counted in, 

And the delegation from " Sandy Spring," 

And Storks and Haywards, and many more 

Found the latch string of the door. 

Ever a welcome warm and sweet 

Met all at the door of '' Old Twelfth Street." 

The slave in distress has been taken in, 

And the Quaker preacher stiff and prim. 

The '^ merely eating friends" have been fed, 

And entertained, and put to bed. 

And many a soldier in the war 

Said his last farewell from this open door. 

Here good advice was often spoken. 

And words of cheer, or some little token 

Slipped in the hand of the parting lad, 

A trifle to make his heart feel glad ; 

Or children and grandchildren trooping in 

With their everlasting noise and din, 

And Santa Glaus with his heavy pack. 

Shouting to keep his reindeer back, 

While the lads and lasses danced around. 

To a song that made the walls resound — 



[11] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



All this, and much more, the door could tell 
Of the many who've rung that well-worn bell. 

We read of the joy of a cheerful heart, 

And the good that love can do. 
Does any home more love impart 

Than this one which is open to you ? 
Can we number the heart strings that center here 

Or the many friends that come 
To pull the latch string year by year, 

And call this spot theii' home ? 
Our home, thrice blest indeed. 

And 'tis well for us to speak 
The loving thoughts, in a time like this, 

That come to those who seek. 
So join the toast I offer you, 
Our Father ! Our Mother ! tried and true, 
God bless them, we pray, 

And for many years more 
May the latch string hang out 

At the " Old Twelfth Street" door. 



12] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



To Mrs. Cliinery, on lier Eighteenth Birthday, 
February 29, 1892, from Hannah. 

I WISH I was a baby, 

A tiny dimpled thing, 
To hear again the lullaby 

My old nurse used to sing. 

To roll about, and kick and laugh. 

Without a thought or care, 
Serenely happy, just to know 

That my old nurse was there. 

She always loved to bathe me 

In my cunning little tub, 
To wrap me in a blanket. 

And give my back a rub. 

She knew when I was hungry, 
When my bottle I should take, 

She watched while I was sleeping. 
And amused me when awake. 



13 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



She is a sweet old lady, 
The babies' dearest friend, 

Her touch is tenderness itself, 
Her patience without end. 

But stay ! did I say old *? 

No, that can never be. 
Youth, the Fairy, cares for her, 

My Dear Old Chinery. 

Others answer to the roll. 
Each twelvemonth to a day. 

And none may ever shun it. 
Or have leave to stay away. 

But when her star was lighted. 
Youth said, '' Be kind and true, 

As you care for little children. 
So I will care for you." 



And we. Youth's servants, here to-day, 

His bidding gladly do. 
For leap year comes but seldom. 

Eighteen leap years to few. 



[14] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Read at tlie Opening of the Neiv Club House of the 

Germantotun Cricket Cluh at Mannheim, 

April 27, 1892. 



The cricket is a jolly elf 

With a bright and cheerful song, 
Who knows that ease and comfort 

To an open hea^rth belong ; . 
When the fire burns the brightest, 

And the guests are coming in, 
When hearts are at their lightest 

You may hear the cricket sing. 
So let our " Mannheim" cricket 

Be the minstrel here to-night, 
And sing his song of welcome 

In the changing fire-light. 



Let him tell to us the story 
Of heroes, bold and true, 

Of the boys who won our battles. 
When cricketers were few ; 



15 



RHYMES AND VERSES 

Of faithful, honest effort, 

Of treasure freely given, 
Of those who for the good of all 

Have long and nobly striven j 
Of this fine hall, this castle fair, 

This homestead builded well, 
The " Mecca " of all cricketers, 

Let our ^' Mannheim " cricket tell. 

Cricket — the noble, ancient game, 
Old England's sport, — of storied fame, 
Coming a stranger and unknown, 
In Germantown had found a home. 
Back in the fifties, we can name 
Such cricketers as Tom McKean, 
And Welsh, and Patterson, and Brown, 
The Old Guard of the Oermantown. 
The Newhalls, Wisters, and many more. 
Whom we delight to number o'er. 
And who were always in the van 
When Young America began. 

The lads were scarcely wicket high, 
But iron nerve and practised eye 
With steady bat, and nimble ball 
Won frequent victory over all. 



16 



RHYMES AND VERSES 

And made these clubs a household word 
Wherever cricketers were heard. 



Established thus by yeoman true, 
The game in strength and favor grew, 
And other clubs began to claim 
Their share of local cricket fame. 
But these two rivals in the race 
Were always in the foremost place, 
And every year the battle test 
Found one of them to be the best. 
Until with wisdom rarely seen, 
Where rivaby has been so keen, 
They thought to join the red and blue 
And make one club where then were two. 



So Young America was wooed 
By Germantown, in earnest mood, 
And, like a bride, gave up her name. 
That both should have a nobler fame. 



In union there is strength, 'tis said, 
And when in time these two were wed. 
Dame Fortune was an honored guest. 
And gave the future her behest, 



[17] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 

That ever to the White and Blue 
Her Royal Legions should be true. 

The " Germantown," now doubly strong, 
Outgrew the home she'd known so long, 
New fields, and larger quarters were 
The urgent problems then for her. 
It seemed indeed a giant task, 
Almost too great for her to ask, 
But only from the bended bow 
Can we its strength and power know. 
And promptly, to her earnest call. 
Her sons gave answer, one and all, — 
A sturdy answer, quick and true. 
What you command, that we will do. 

And so, this jewel in her crown, 

This pride and joy of Germantown, 

This home where old and young may find 

Pleasure and sport of every kind. 

Where recreation's song is sung, 

And youth grows strong, and age grows young 

Where honor is the lesson taught. 

And all are gentlemen in sport. 

This home, our ^' Mannheim," came to be 

Their pledge to her of loyalty. 



18 



EHYMES AND VERSES 



To Mary Drake, Christmas, 1893. 

The mountains of tliy native home 
Keep guard o'er those who go and come, 
Their summits, ht with morning ray, 
Bring the glad tidings of the day, 
And sunset glow, and evening star, 
Sweet messengers of comfort are. 

So in thy quiet, rest f ul way 

Thee gives us strength from day to day, 

Thy smile to us is morning cheer, 

A blessing when the night draws near. 

Thy presence is the sweetest thing 

That old Saint Nicholas can bring — 

A benediction to us all. 

Which we shall evermore recall. 



[19] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



To Robert Haydock, February 1, ISdJf., 



How still it is to-night ! 

The silence is so near, 
Even the passing shadow 

Seems to fall upon the ear. 

Our very hearts are still, 

And as we sit alone, 
"We listen for a step 

Which we know is past and gone. 

The presence which has blessed us, 
From youth to manhood's prime j 

The sympathy so ready, 
The smile almost divine, 

The tender heart so true, 
The open, generous hand. 

Are only memories now — 
A mystery of the spirit land. 



[20] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



We grieve and yet we should rejoice 
That such a life has been j 

And that we have shared its blessing 
With all our fellow men. 



Death has no sorrow when it comes 

In such a peaceful way, 
And life will be the better 

For each one every day. 



[21] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Mary's Birthday, 1895, 

We children three, and father one, 
Planned with one another, 

How we'd have a little fun 
With our loving mother. 

Mother's birthday soon will come, 
The years we will not state, 

But in our well-adjusted home 
We always celebrate. 

The thought perhaps was rash, 
But with a laugh and chuckle, 

We put in all our ready cash 
And bought a silver buckle. 

A trifle, say you ? 

Yes, but the love in such a token 
Makes a tie between us 

That never can be broken. 



[22] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 

Hannali sailed for Europe May 23, 1895. 
H, H, W.— Bon Voyage, 

The name of my girl is Whistle-de-dee, 
A bonny lass you'll find her, 

She has sailed away across the sea, 
And left me far behind her. 



She is the apple of my eye, 

Her smile is life to me, 
I know she'll come back by and by 

From far across the sea. 



May every wind that blows be fair 

And ocean's temper mild, 
God bless thee, is thy father's prayer, 

My love ! My darling child ! 



[23] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Nina's Birthday y August 28, 1895. 

Ei&HTEEN years ago to-day 
A bit of sunshine came my way, 
A rosy, dimpled, laughing thing, 
As full of hfe as a bubbling spring. 
You would never forget 

If you had seen her, 
My dimpled girl, 
My lovely Nina. 

They tell me she is of age to-day, 

That the years have taken my girl away. 

But I have still a lady fair. 

With that lovely spirit dwelling there. 

And as of old, I still can trace. 

The laughing sunshine in her face. 

Ah ! You'll not forget 
That you have seen her, 

My lady fair, 
My lovely Nina. 



24 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Anna Hallowell Graduated at the Harvard Annex, 
Proposing to Give her Life to the Classics, but 
Meeting Horace Davis Abroad, She Changed Her 
Mind. On the Announcement of her Eiigage- 
ment We Sent Her a Fleur-de-lis Pin, luith the 
Follmoing Lines: 

Halloioell vs. Horace. 



Behold the Harvard Annex Queen, 

Staid and stately and serene ; 
Many a line of Greek she read, 

At home it was her daily bread. 
But when she crossed the raging sea, 

And roamed among the Fleurs-de-lis, 
Horace became the only book 

Into which she cared to look, 
And now she says she will translate him 

Into Hallowell verbatim. 



25 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



To Anna Hallowell and Horace Davis 
at the time of their Wedcli7ig. 

Full many a cent 

Is quickly spent 
That should be for the family mending, 

But this is sent 

With the full intent 
That the lovers shall do the spending. 



26 



EHYMES AND VERSES 



Amia HallowelVs Wedding. 

'' Noddeho," 
Novemher 28, 1895. 



Old ^' Noddebo " is gay to-night 
With merry voices sounding, 

Her clans have come with faces bright 
In love and mirth abounding. 



They raise aloft the chorus 
Echoed back by wall and rafter, 

And old and young join in to swell 
The merry song and laughter. 

'Tis a wedding feast to-night, 
The fii'st in this dear home ; 

A crowning joy of years gone by, 
And hope for years to come. 



[27] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



light of life ! so wonderful ! 

No human thought divining, 
It comes to us without our wish 

Or even our declining. 



It burns in us from youth to age, 
The reason none can say ; 

We only know that life is ours 
To live as best we may. 



We see it lighted when our girls 

And boys to us are given, 
And know that they must work and strive 

As we ourselves have striven. 



We raise them up to maidenhood, 
To manhood and their prime ; 

And hope they may be blessed in life, 
As we were in our time. 



Their homes will be where love is known 

If ours have been the same, 
And they will value most from us 

Example's cherished name. 



28 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



And when the hour of parting comes, 

As it has come to-day, 
We send them forth in hope and trust 

Rejoicing on their way. 



'Tis always hard to say good-bye, 
But when their wings are grown 

The birds from out the nest must fly : 
Their problem is their own. 



From us, no time, nor absence 

Can separate us ever j 
Our hearts are one, beyond the power 

Of circumstance to sever. 



29 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



On my Forty-eighth Birthday I sent to George 

and Fred Moore and Bush the 

Following Lines : 

Dear boys, when you are forty-eight, 

And realize how time has flown, 
You'll value most youi' honest mate 

Who loves you for yourself alone. 
The friend whose loyalty you've tried, 

Whose heart is ever straight and true j 
You'll give up all the world beside, 

And keep him ever close to you. 

Our Potts and I must regulate 

The family and its concerns ; 
Must keep the aunts and uncles straight 

And help each one along by turns. 
He flutters in society 

And I admire his success, 
While I shun such variety. 

But love him fondly none the less. 



30 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Then George the ready, the true blue, 

Your place is warm within my heart 5 
One never turns in vain to you 

To do the full and manly part. 
And Bush, whose spirit never wanes 

In any stress of circumstance, 
Whose sparkling wit fresh vigor gains 

From every change of thought or chance 5 
'* You can have me without delay," 

As I have heard the children say. 
And so, my boys, we'll jog along, 

Tho' twenty years between us stand, 
You've made the tie between us strong, 

You've given me the open hand. 
I am the first to climb the hill, 

And soon must take the downward grade ; 
But I'll be waiting for you still, 

To see the coast is safely made. 

Affectionately yours, 

Grinnell Willis. 



31] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Having stood God-father for F. V. Burton's 

Eldest Son, I Sent Him a Cup with 

the Folloiving Lines Engraved 

on the Bottom of It. 

1892. 

My boy, it is a priceless gift 

To bear tliy father's name, 

A heritage of honesty, 

A stepping-stone to fame. 

The world has naught of gear nor gold, 

Nor fields, nor woodlands fair, 

Nor castled halls, nor kingdoms old, 

More precious or more rare. 

Cherish the name, revere it, boy, 

Be staunch, be strong and true. 

The scion of a worthy sire. 

The truest of the true. 



32 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



To Mr. and Mrs. F. V. Burton, on the Occasion 

of the Laymg of the Corner-stone of their 

Neiv Home, at Newlurgh, JSf, Y., 

September 25, 1896. 

Home is the place that thrills the heart, 

And stirs the tide of feeling, 
Of our best selves it is a part. 

The shrine where all are kneeling. 

Love keeps his fires burning there, 
And friendship finds the open door, 

Sweet childhood comes to claim its share, 
Widening the circle more and more. 

And so the daily thought and care 
Of every man is Home, Sweet Home, 

'Tis present with him everywhere. 
He lives and works for them alone. 

May love and skill guide heart and hand 
To build your castle firm and fair. 

And fortune's choicest gifts befall 
All those who dwell or enter there. 



[33] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



To Frank Stochton, Christmas, 1896. 



I KNOW a merry man, with a twinkle in his eye, 

He nods a merry nod to every passer-by. 

He's a neighbor and a friend whom everybody knows, 

And he finds a cordial welcome everywhere he goes. 

He has friends to do him honor, and glory when he 

needs it, 
When he writes a funny story everybody reads it — 
Guess my riddle if you can, who will name my merry 

man? 
His renown will never change while the world reads 

^' Rudder Grange." 



34 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Christmas, 1896. 

Fred and George Moore and Bush had a Christmas 

Card of Tliree Sailor Boys in Summer Rig, 

on Which I Wrote the Following Lines: 

Look at us ! Look at us ! 

We are bachelors three ; 
We can sail the best yacht 

Ever launched on the sea. 
We can reef, we can steer, 

We can jolly the girls. 
And it takes a smart man 

To get onto our twirls. 



35 



EHYMES AND VERSES 



My Wife's Forty -eiglith Anniversary. 

At f orty-eig-ht 'tis not too late 

To lay some claim to youth, 
A little gray, perhaps, you'll say, 

And that's the honest truth. 
But we can sing the song of Spring, 

And keep our spirits gay, 
And thou wilt be the same to me, 

My true love every day. 

But why repine at loss of time. 

Or count our vigor past ? 
Youth is a swain who'll long remain 

With those who hold him fast. 
If in our hearts his sunshine is. 

His welcome at the door. 
We both will say, with each birthday, 

We're younger than before. 



36 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Christmas, 1897, 
The Christmas Chime. 



We hear, like those of olden time, 

The music of the Christmas Chime, 

Telling its story again and again, 

Of *' Peace on earth, good will to men " — 

That beautiful story told so well 

By the sound of the joyous Christmas bell. 

It seems of Christmas-time a part. 

Finding an echo in every heart, 

And everywhere throughout the land 

Its tokens pass from hand to hand. 

So may we our voices raise 

With thankful hearts in songs of praise, 

As joyful as the merry chime 

That rings so clear at Christmas-time. 



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RHYMES AND VERSES 



To Cousin Mary Parsons on her 
Seventy-fifth Anniversary, 1898, 

If we're alive 

At seventy-five, 

We all would like to be 
As blithe and spry 
And keen of eye 

And full of fun as thee. 

In very truth 

The springs of youth 

Have been, and still are thine, 
And thou canst say 
That locks of gray 

Do not their ends define. 

Why then let fears 
Of failing years 

Beset us, when we see 
How bright and gay 
In every way 

Life always seems to thee ? 



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EHYMES AND VERSES 



Come, take the cup, 
And fill it up, 

And pledge the wish with me 
May every year 
Bring health and cheer. 

Our honored guest, to thee." 



[39] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Lines Written in Mrs. Walter Cutting's House 
Book, Pittsfield, Mass., Jayiuary 23, 1899. 



It is not always length of days 

That makes a friendship strong — 
One heart may know another, 

Though acquaintance be not long ; 
A word of cordial greeting, 

A look, a smile, may mean 
The sure and true foundation 

Of mutual esteem. 
I write my name in parting, 

And much my heart would tell. 
And I only can express it 

In the good old word *^ Farewell." 



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RHYMES AND VERSES 



Writteii for the Engagement Dinner given to 

Ridley Watts and Gertrude Hoy, 

Octoler U, 1899. 

A YOUNG man paced with anxious stride, 

Up and down, from side to side. 

Oh ! Ho ! says I, Watts up, my boy ? 

Says he, I've lost my '' Ship-a-Hoy," 

The finest craft that ever sailed, 

Alas ! Alack-a-day, he wailed, 

It would have been a lasting joy 

To change her name to Watts from Hoy. 

Avast ! says I, it's not so bad, 

Come, take a brace ! Cheer up, my lad ! 

Such wild despair will never do. 

She's wondering Watts become of you. 

And sailed off on a cruise, you know ; 

Be sure you'll have her soon in tow. 

I think if you'll consult the log, 

You'll find she's shaped her course for Quogue, 

Down where the summer breezes blow. 

Where days are long, and time is slow. 



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RHYMES AND VERSES 



Where lovers wander on the beach 
Out of sight and out of reach, 
Whispering and mnrmuring Hke the sea, 
That old, old story of you and me. 
He smiled and started off that way, 
And when I crossed his bows one day, 
His deep despair was turned to joy, 
He had in tow his ^' Ship-a-Hoy." 



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RHYMES AND VERSES 



To mij Nephetv, Jack Halloivell, Right End of 

Harvard's Foothall Eleven, 

November 21, 1899, 

Harvard 17 — Yale 0. 



'' H" STANDS for Fair Harvard, 

Who mothers us all, 
For her heroes who gladly 

Respond to her call j 
For the Honors they've won 

In serving her well. 
And for her " Right End," 

John White Hallowell. 
Play straight and play strong, my lad, 

Honest and sure. 
And your fame at Fair Harvard 

Shall ever endure. 



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RHYMES AND VERSES 



A Twelfth Street Vale?iti7ie. 

In the merry days of youth, 

When life was all a rhyme, 
What a jolly thing it was 

To write a valentine ! 
Or if you had a cent or two, 

Like some one I could name, 
You'd skip around the corner, 

And buy one from " Mr. Lane." 
A gushing, blushing missive, 

With hearts and flowers on it, 
And printed at the bottom 

A lovely little sonnet. 
Can hearts that fifty seasons know 

Recall that golden time ? 
And heads a little tinged with snow 

Enjoy a valentine f 
Yes ; memory gives an added zest, 

The ripened fruit is always best. 

LotC. 



[44] 



RHYMES AND VEESES 



To D. S. Neivhall 
With a Hearth Brush for their Neio Home. 



The brightest spot on the earth is home, 

And when one calls that spot one's own, 

And gives to every nook a share 

Of individual, watchful care. 

Planning each room to suit its guest, 

And please each varying fancy best ; 

Ah ! then perfection is attained. 

And sweet content for all is gained. 

But yet, perchance, by hook or crook, 

There may remain a vacant nook 

Whose furnishing, a little scant. 

May welcome still an occupant. 

If this by the fireside chance to be, 

Reserve it, if you please, for me, 

A humble applicant for fame 

Who seeks to hang beside the crane. 

May the light of thy fire for thee ever shine. 

And the warmth of its welcome be thine for all time. 



[45] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



lliese Lines loere Sent ivith a Set of Glasses to Fred 

and George Moore and G. Fairfax Bush, 

with Wliom I had Made Pleasant 

Expeditions on the Wheel. 

What, ho ! My Benedicts ! My boys, 

Beware tlie tempting cup ; 
But when your uncle comes around, 

Fill up ! my boys, fill up. 

What matter if our Potts is late 

Or the " Cynics' " shafts strike home, 

Or nephew Bush indulge his fad 
Of guying all who come. 

We've ridden many a joUy mile 

Down many a dizzy coast, 
And as we hope for many more, 

Come join your uncle's toast. 



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RHYMES AND VERSES 



The wheel ! The wheel ! our trusty steed, 

So speedy and so sure j 
We'll ride it on o'er hill and dale 

While health and strength endure. 

And so, good luck ! My Benedicts ! 

Fill up the glass, I say ! 
We've many a mile before us yet, 

And many a holiday. 



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RHYMES AND VERSES 



We Made a Visit to 

Uncle Charles aiid Mary Wharton at Newport, 

At Christmas Time Mary Sent a Shawl, 

with the Following Lines : 

I THOUGHT I'd like to write a rhyme 

To go with Mary's shawl, 
But I seemed to stick at every line, 

And couldn't write at all. 
My wife she wanted something fine, 

Full of sentiment and love. 
Hearts a-heaving and a-sighing 

Like the billows in your cove. 
Of course I couldn't quite agree. 

As husbands won't, sometimes. 
And that's the reason why you see 

I'm sending you these lines. 
I want to give you solid chunks 

Of our appreciation 
Of Newport hospitahty. 

Without exaggeration. 



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RHYMES AND VERSES 



You took us both clean off our feet 

When we stayed with you last Summer, 
That ranch of youi's is hard to beat — 

What we should call a hummer. 
It isn't very much for trees, 

Bananas wouldn't thrive, 
But then you always have a breeze, 

And can always take a drive. 
The visitor arising 

Before the break of day, 
Would see our host and stalwart sons, 

In very light array, 
Disporting in their bathing tent 

Like bull-frogs on the shore j 
And every minute in they went 

The bottom to explore. 
AU through the day the sailing 

And tennis took our time. 
And when the bell for dinner rang 

You found us all in line. 
When evening came we took our ease, 

Not caring to be active. 
And found the porch and summer breeze 

By far the most attractive. 
In fact, that breeze so soothing was 

That many a nod was seen. 



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RHYMES AND VERSES 



And many a nap and solemn pause 

And many a pleasant dream, 
Until our host would rise and say, 

'^ Wake up ! The Pilgrim'' s coming ! 
I see her lights far up the bay 

And hear her paddles drumming ! " 
Then when that wondrous show was gone 

No more was ever said, 
The lights were all put out at once. 

And the family went to bed. 
'Tis thus, dear people, we recall 

That pleasant summer day. 
And memory lets her mantle fall 

On this my humble lay. 
May Santa Claus his blessing give 

To all of you and yours. 
The pleasure you have given 

Its own reward assures. 



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RHYMES AND VERSES 



8ent tvith a Fly Booh to my Old Friend, 
Fisher Gorlies. 



Fisher and Fishing botli have F 

For their initial letter, 
And when Fisher goes a-fishing 

No fellow fishes better. 



But when a fellow fishes 
With Fisher for his friend, 

That fishing is ideal, 

And friendship crowns the end. 



[51] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Sent with a Mince Pie to a Friend. 



Emblem of the Yankee feast, 
Choicest dish of all the East, 
Could I wish, I would that I 
Should always have a piece of pie. 



[52] 



RHYMES AND VERSES 



Sent luith a Christmas Stocking to Hope Willis, 
Hope's Stoching. 

Goodness gracious ! ain't it shocking ! 

That Hope should hang up such a stocking ! 
We've heard you say that she was/ai; 

But, heavens ! such a leg as that ! 
Have a care when she goes out, 

For P. T. Barnum is about. 
And Santa Claus ! what will he say *? 

He couldn't fill it in a day. 
Jack Frost will faint or have a fit. 

And that will be the end of it. 
Well, Christmas comes but once a year, 

You may get to the toe if you persevere. 



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Apr-30 1©01 



